In a game that could undeniably make or break the Texas Longhorns' season, pressure and expectations were at an all-time high on the 40 Acres.
Mainly, that pressure was focused on quarterback Arch Manning and head coach Steve Sarkisian, but when offensive lineman Trevor Goosby went down with an injury in the first quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels, the air went out of the stadium.
Goosby was carted off the field, in visible pain and clutching his left knee with nearly five minutes still remaining in the quarter. With so much pressure on Manning to perform, the Horns' quarterback needed all of the protection he could get. Goosby going down made that a much more difficult task for the Texas O-Line.
Goosby has been the rock of Texas's shaky offensive line over the last two years. While the unit has been inconsistent this season, allowing 13 sacks through the first six games of the year, Goosby has still been one of the most highly touted offensive tackles in the country.
An injury to him, for any amount of time, could undoubtedly be disastrous for a Texas offense that has already stalled out multiple times this season.
Arch Manning may be at a loss without Trevor Goosby in front of him
Immediately after Goosby left the game, Manning threw an interception. While the Rebels' quarterback threw an interception on the very next play, Manning followed the interception with a pass attempt that resulted in an incompletion, but also resulted in the Longhorns' quarterback getting clobbered in the backfield.
The next play, Manning's pass attempt was batted up in the air as the Ole Miss pass-rushers got into the backfield once again.
Simply put, without Goosby on the field, Texas's offense looked as shaky as it had all season, and it only took four plays to see that effect take place.
Trevor Goosby's absence adds to growing injury list for Longhorns
Goosby is far from the only starter missing from the rotation, with star edge rusher Colin Simmons and starting running back Hollywood Smothers listed as "out" on the Horns' final injury report ahead of kickoff.
Goosby's fellow offensive linemen, Jackson Christian and Jaydon Chatman, have also missed quite a bit of playing time this season and were both sidelined against Ole Miss with lingering injuries.
Simply put, Sarkisian and offensive line coach Kyle Flood were already dealing with a lack of depth for the front five. Goosby leaving the game in the first quarter only added to those woes.
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